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Just about everyone I know - including people who play FarmVille - agree that it's really not very fun, but the app (I hesitate to call it a "game") compels the

Just about everyone I know - including people who play FarmVille - agree that it's really not very fun, but the app (I hesitate to call it a "game") compels them forward with a number of addictive mechanics. Few people I know classify watching TV as "fun," but it passes the time and is entertaining. No offense, but it really sounds like you have a horse in this race - do you work for Zynga? None taken. I absolutely have no relationship whatsoever with Zynga. Consider the argument Television isn't intended to provide entertainment, it's only intended to addict you (to the networks' benefit). I can't imagine it would be so uncritically received by Hacker News. Clearly FarmVille has addictive elements, like any game. I'm shocked that Hacker News so enthusiastically accepts that "FarmVille isn't intended to provide entertainment", and is punishing me for saying so.

chc 16y ago
A similar statement about TV (or most other games for that matter) wouldn't match our experience. Most of us have been entertained or know someone who has been entertained by TV. FarmVille does not share this quality. Most of us know at least one person who has played it, but no one who actually seems to be entertained. My girlfriend used to play it a lot, but she spoke of it in terms of fulfilling a need or obligation rather than deriving enjoyment. I suspect a lot of people have similar experiences, and that is why they find your comparison to TV to be specious.
philwelch 16y ago
Few people I know classify watching TV as "fun," but it passes the time and is entertaining. Bad argument--few people classify any form of passive entertainment as "fun". That word seems to be reserved for active forms of entertainment, like games. When there's an extremely popular game out there that no one characterizes as "fun", we have an interesting situation.

chc 16y ago

A similar statement about TV (or most other games for that matter) wouldn't match our experience. Most of us have been entertained or know someone who has been entertained by TV. FarmVille does not share this quality. Most of us know at least one person who has played it, but no one who actually seems to be entertained. My girlfriend used to play it a lot, but she spoke of it in terms of fulfilling a need or obligation rather than deriving enjoyment. I suspect a lot of people have similar experiences, and that is why they find your comparison to TV to be specious.

philwelch 16y ago

Few people I know classify watching TV as "fun," but it passes the time and is entertaining. Bad argument--few people classify any form of passive entertainment as "fun". That word seems to be reserved for active forms of entertainment, like games. When there's an extremely popular game out there that no one characterizes as "fun", we have an interesting situation.